Women’s Hall of Fame names new director

The National Women’s Hall of Fame has concluded its six-month search for a new executive director. Jennifer Gabriel, a seasoned fundraiser with two decades of nonprofit experience in California, Colorado and New York, will lead the organization through a regional and national expansion of its mission.

Gabriel’s immediate task will be to lead the organization through its 2021 Induction Ceremony that will honor the achievements of Michelle Obama, Indra Nooyi, Katherine Johnson, Emily Howland, Mia Hamm, Joy Harjo, Rebecca Halstead, Judy Chicago and Octavia Butler.

“We are thrilled that Jennifer Gabriel has agreed to lead the National Women’s Hall of Fame at this pivotal time,” said board President Betsy Fantone. “Jennifer is deeply committed to the hall’s mission and is a compassionate, strategic and thoughtful leader. We’re looking forward to working with her and our dedicated staff and volunteers to grow the efforts that honor, engage and inspire women across our nation.”

Gabriel will lead the National Women’s Hall of Fame as it grows to meet two primary objectives:
• Secure the National Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Program as the signature national event honoring the achievements of American women; and
• Plan and implement an ambitious agenda of new programs and exhibits, establishing the hall as an innovative Center for Impact and Inspiration.

“The hall celebrates the incredible women who make our world a better place, and their stories help us understand the people, the places, the economic and social structures and the events that inspire change,” Gabriel said. “It’s our shared goal to grow and strengthen the National Women’s Hall of Fame to ignite a passion for equity among all people, at all ages, and from all walks of life.”

Founded in 1969, the hall recently was renovated and moved into the historic 1844 Seneca Knitting Mill in Seneca Falls. This past spring, the hall was awarded a $1 million grant from the New York Downtown Revitalization Initiative to support additional renovations and new exhibits. Gabriel will work with the local and national community of donors and supporters to finish the remaining floors within the Mill while creating and implementing programming that allows for Hall’s transformational growth regionally and nationally.

The National Women’s Hall of Fame is the nation’s first and oldest nonprofit organization and museum dedicated to honoring and celebrating the achievements of distinguished American women.

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